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I will be the first person to tell you that taking the time out to iron your fabric before you do anything can be time consuming and usually not the most enjoyable task. I will also be honest to tell you that I don't do this 100% of the time, it all depends on the fabric.But here are a few reasons why it's a good idea to iron before you begin! (I remind myself about these reasons all the time!)-If you have really fabric with a lot of wrinkles in it, your measurements are going to be slightly off. Take your fabric and gently stretch it, if the wrinkles really stretch out you need to iron before hand. Otherwise you're going to make wasting fabric and your cuts and measurments won't be exact as you want them to be!-Make sure you're aware of your ironing settings. Just like your ironing different types of clothes, you want to make sure your iron settings are just right for your fabric!-If you're pleating, you're going to want your fabric to be wrinkle free! You're also going to want to press your pleats before you sew to help make them fabulous.-Be sure you have no pins in your fabric when you're ironing, nobody wants to ruin your fabric or the pins. If you do have pins in your fabric, be sure to have your iron on a super low setting to ensure that the pins won't melt.

-When your product is all finished, you're going to notice that your seams and edges will look much more sharp. Everything will look much more polished!Even if you decide your fabric isn't wrinkled enough to iron before you begin, just take a few minutes when you're done to iron or steam it to make it look sharp! If I don't take the time out to iron in the beginning I always take a few minutes to do it at the end! Start practicing your ironing skills to make everything of yours shine a little more, just like you!

If you don't know already, we are participating in Yorktown's Relay for Life to support the American Cancer Soceity! Team Love Struck has been assembled and it's time to learn about my other fantastic team members because without them, reaching our goal would be impossible! Lets start off with my wonderful sister, Stefanie.

Stefanie is my older sister, and I'll be the first to tell you we're complete opposites except when it comes to our sense of humor. She will tell you that I'm a little ridiculous especially when I do dances in the kitchen when I'm cooking, but don't be fooled, she'll whip out her own moves from time to time. Stefanie has such a brilliant mind, yes she's greatly educated and did great in high school and college, but she is always using her mind in ways a lot of people don't. Passion runs through her, especially for the things she loves. If you ever hear her talk about our dog Asher, you'll instantly feel how deep her love for animals runs. But her passion doesn't simply end there. When you talk to her you can instantly tell when she feels strongly about something. She educates herself, forms her own opinons and wants to hear what others feel too. She is strong minded but it doesn't mean that she doesn't want to hear what you have to say. She wants to learn and one of those ways she learns is from hearing what other people have to say. She has a thirst for knowledge unlike anybody else I know (besides my Aunt Lisa!) Despite us being so opposite, I've learned a lot from my sister and she is a big part of helping me become the person I am today. I'm eternally grateful for that!So why does Stefanie Relay? Read below, her own words why Relay for Life is so important to her and who she is Relaying for this year! "Several years ago after a ring of the phone, my family embarked on a continuing journey into the world of cancer. I had known people with cancer before, but this was my first venture into the inner circle. My Aunt Carol, not even fifty years old, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. Quickly words like chemo, port, counts, oncologist were part of daily conversation. With the cancer center being only few miles from my office, I began spending every other Tuesday lunch at the Dickstein Cancer Center catching up with Aunt Carol and meeting others who are so bravely fighting. One of the most striking things I took away from my time as a chemo visitor is the dedication of the nurses. I remember one nurse telling us how she used to work in a nursing home, but it became too depressing for her to continue, so she moved to oncology. In my head I couldn't understand how this could possibly be less depressing. By this point some of the familiar faces were no longer seen, as they lost their fight. But then she continued her story- in a nursing home people were waiting to die, and even though death came on a more steady basis, in the oncology world people were fighting to live. It was the fight, the hope and the perseverance of her patients that kept her spirits up and made her a stronger person. That is what Relay for Life is about- it is about coming together to fight- the stronger we are the better chance we have of winning this battle. I Relay for my Aunt Carol who continues to battle on and fight even when it seems the odds aren't in her favor. She is one of the strongest people I know and will never give up the fight. I Relay for my grandfather Tom, who although wasn't my blood, was more of a grandfather than I ever had- or ever could imagine. I Relay for Joanie, my second mother, who after the crappiest year, found out she had cancer- and beat it. I Relay for my family who has only become closer because of cancer, and for all the families walking this journey together. I Relay for myself, and my future children, who I pray will never have to battle this disease. I truly believe that one by one we can find a cure for all cancer if we all work together. Relay for Life is such an important tool for brining communities together to spread the word and awareness. So throw on a purple shirt, lace up your walking shoes and Relay for Life."

I got my first tattoo almost 2 years ago when I was 21. Number 2 will be happening in the very near future. I can guarantee there will be a number 3 and probably a number 4. Who knows, maybe a number 5 one day?

I've always known I wanted a tattoo and it took me a year and a half of knowing what I wanted before I got inked. I thought about it every day, drew pictures of it constantly to get it just right and finally, pretty much on a whim took the steps to getting it done.

I was a senior in college and so excited, yes I was nervous too, but excitement overshadowed any nerves. I took one of my greatest friends with me, a fellow inked friend. It felt right to have somebody there and it felt good having her support.

About a half hour later, my first tattoo was there, smack in the middle of my forearm. I couldn't stop smiling. It's beautiful in it's simplicity, but the meaning behind it is even more powerful for me. My tattoo means something, something very powerful and personal.

The summer after I got it done, a camper at the camp I worked at, tried to lick it off of me thinking it was just temporary. To his surprise, it didn't go anywhere! He looked at it, fascinated that it did not smudge and stood baffled as I explained it wasn't like his batman rub on tattoos.Often in the middle of a conversation people stop and ask "Wait, is that a tattoo?" As if they're surprised to see one on me! I constantly get asked about it, I mean it's quite visible so I understand the curiosity. I give people the general explanation, more if they keep asking questions. I get asked almost every time, "Do you regret it? Will you regret it in 30 years?"

My answer is always no. There are people who don't understand that, who don't get how I can know that I'll still love this ink on me. But I can tell you right now, I will always love my tattoo, I will never regret the choice I made to get it done, especially to get it done in a spot where I see it a million times a day. (Ok maybe not a million times....)

My tattoo, means something to me. I doesn't matter if people don't understand the meaning, because it's not for others to understand. It faces inward so I can sit and reflect when looking upon it. It doesn't face outward to others, because not surprisingly, it's not for anybody else.

I respect others opinions on tattoos, and I respect their choice to not get one done on their body. But why is my simple tattoo offensive to some people? I'm not asking anybody to sit and stare at it, to get a matching one on their left arm. I don't flaunt it in other peoples faces or bring it up in the middle of a random converstaion. I simply got inked to have a constant reminder of those I love most, the things I love most and what I need to get by in my life. Yes, that's one of my simple explanations.

I know there are plenty of people out there who get tattoos just to get one, not with any meaning at all. And if you're one of those people, that's totally fine. You have every right to do what you please regarding tattoos on your body (so long as they aren't out right offensive). You might regret it, but if you do, it's your problem, not anybody else's, it surely won't be mine.

Will I get a tattoo that has no meaning to me? Nope. Should that matter to you? Nope. Do my tattoos change the person I am? Nope. So why does it matter so much to anybody else but me?

Here is my first tattoo right after it was done. Almost 2 years later and I'm still just as in love with it!

It is that time of the year again! It's the time where many people are gushing with love for their boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, etc. It's also that time of the year where people who do not have a significant other wallow in their lonelyness. .But why?

I've been single for most Valentines Days, and of course it would be great to have a boy to share it with. I'll be the first one to admit that and one of these Valentines Days I'll be doing just that. What I have found over the years, though, is that Valentines Day isn't all about a romanic love, it's just about love.

I think about all the love in my life, and I'm thankful to have a lot of it surrounding me always. My family is just incredible, they love me with this unconditional love that will last through thick and thin. Despite what we may go through, we stand together, and that's an everlasting kind of love. They haved loved me since before they even knew me and they will love me every day of my life.

Then I think about my friends, and that is truly a speical kind of love. Want to know why? Unlike my family, my friends chose me, and I chose them. We are close because we love each other for who we all are. It's really something amazing to have a love like that. I always remind my closest friends that they're stuck with me for life, becaues well, I refuse to give them up for anything and I hope they will do the same.So on good ol' Valentines Day, I remind myself that sure I don't have a boyfriend and yes I'm ok with that. But I have so much love around me always. I have the kind of love that will last a lifetime with some of the most amazing, beautiful people on this planet. How can I be sad about that?So if you're single and upset about it, just remind yourself about all the people in your life who do love you. Know that those are the people who will love you despite your weaknesses and will help you be the best version of yourself. Celebrate Valentines Day for them, and for the love you have for yourself. Don't let one day of the year bring you down, because that's just silly! Rise up and show the world that today is a day for all kinds of love!Wishing everybody a day full of love, all kinds of love!

When I realized last year that my Brother sewing machine could make button holes, I was ecstatic! I'm not joking when I say I literally ran upstairs to my mom to scream with joy!

After doing my happy dance, I went back to my machine to make some fantastic button holes!I set my machine with what I thought were the right settings and I let my machine do the rest of the work. When I finished, my grin vanished. The button hole on my scrap piece of fabric had huge loops and thread was going everywhere.

I ran right back upstairs to summon my mom down to help. After a solid 20 tries we finally got the buttonholes to look the way they were supposed to. It took a lot of fiddling with my tension until I got it right.

So here are a few tips to making some solid button holes so your grins don't disappear quite as fast as mine did!.

Make sure you have your materials out and ready. Don't forget your scrap fabric! Until you've got the right settings and you feel comfortable, keep using the scraps before moving onto the big leagues!

It's a good idea to read your manual first (I only skimmed mine because I was so excited), it'll show you which foot is the right one to use, and it'll also show you howthe foot should be used.

First thing's first, change your settings to the right ones for the buttonhole. Once you do that, you can start to fool around with the tension. Like sewing in general, your tension will depend on what fabric you're using, your thread, etc. It might take a few tries to get it just right and that's ok!

Quick tip: I never cut my button hole before I sew the perimeter. Sometimes my measurements might be a little off and it's a lot easier to take out button hole stitches than to be left with a non centered hole!

I find it's easiest to take my marking pencil and measure out the button hole first on my fabric.Make a mark for the center, and the ends of the button holes. To do this, you'll need to know the size of the button you're using so that you're button hole can be big enough. You'll be able to visualize it which should help you see if you're centered or not.

It's time to sew! The great thing about actually making a button hole, is once you've figured out your settings, your machine should do most of the work..

Woohoo! That's a great looking button hole! If you're happy with how it looks and where it's placed, then you're almost done! Tie the loose threads in a tight knot and cut them. Be sure to do that on both sides.

Best way I find to make the cut, is to use my rotary cutter and mat. Be careful using your rotary, you don't want to cut yourself (trust me I have... the outcome includes lots of blood!)

Quick Tip: I only try to use my rotary cutter to make a decent sized slit in the middle of the hole. Once I've done that, I use a good pair of fabric scissors to cut the rest. I find I have more control and I don't cut the actual button hole. But as always, do what's best for you!.

Almost at the final step! Grab your fray guard (I've told you it comes in handy) and put some on your button hole. Make sure to get some on the inside too. You defiantly don't want any fraying.

Great job! I wait for the fray guard to dry before I snip away any strands of fabric or thread that are left. Once that's done, sew on your button and you're good to go!

Button holes are a great technique to know. Once you've gotten the hang of using your machine to make them, then you'll be able to whip them up in no time! Take advantage of making them, they'll make all your items look as cute as a button! Enjoy!

Author

My name is Kristina and I'm the founder of Love Struck. Read about how Love Struck came to be, see how I make it happen or just read a random thought I just might have! Anything can happen at our blog & I wouldn't have it any other way! It's time to get Love Struck, and what better way to start than right here!